Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker accepts biting ban

Liverpool's Luis Suarez says he hopes to be forgiven by those he has upset after accepting a 10-match ban for

"I am truly very sorry. I hope that all the people who I have offended at Anfield last Sunday will grant me forgiveness," the striker tweeted.

Suarez added that, although his ban was greater than those in incidents where players had been badly injured, an appeal may "give the wrong impression".

Suarez's ban begins immediately.

The 26-year-old striker will miss Liverpool's final Premier League games of this season - against Newcastle, Everton, Fulham and QPR - and the first six domestic matches of the 2013-14 campaign.

Suarez had already accepted a three-match suspension for violent conduct, but could have challenged the additional seven-game punishment . Contesting his ban however would have run the risk of Suarez's suspension being increased.

"I know that all the things that are happening to me in England will help me to improve my conduct on the field," added Suarez.

"Right now, I just want to focus on becoming a better footballer on and off the field.

"Many things have been said and written about me, I just tried to do my best on the field. I hope to come back early to play."

"Once politicians have opinions, you could see he was going to be hammered," said Redknapp.

Suarez's suspension, along with a shoulder injury to Italian Fabio Borini, increases Liverpool's reliance on Daniel Sturridge, who has scored six goals in 12 games since signing from Chelsea in January.

Rodgers has insisted that Suarez is "still very much part of our family and very much part of our future" despite speculation that the ban may prompt him to seek a move abroad.